Dolores M. Gerke

Dolores M. Gerke  89, of La Crosse passed on June 11, 2012 at Bethany St. Joseph Nursing Home.

 

Dolores M. Gerke was born in rural Coon Valley on January 24, 1923, to Michael and Caroline (Wuensch) Dwyer.   She married Alois Gerke on April 30, 1947 and farmed in St. Joseph Ridge for 33 years and continued to be involved with the farm their entire lives.  Dolores was also a baker at the Ridgeview Inn prior to her retirement and was a great cook and gardener for her family and anyone who stopped to visit.

 

She is survived by three children, Dennis (Pat) Gerke, LaCrosse, WI;  Janice (Donald) Muenzenberger, West Salem,WI; Michael (Kim Stuessel) Gerke, Sparta,WI,; grandchildren Jason (Dawn) Gerke, Jennifer (Lee) Hundt, Sara Gerke, Jon Gerke, Jessica Muenzenberger, Megan (Shaun) Clark, Morgan Gerke all of LaCrosse, WI,;  Elizabeth Muenzenberger, Columbia, S.C.;   and Ryan Gerke, Bangor, WI; greatgrandchildren Hunter, Weston and Haley Gerke, Allison Elliott, Carson and Parker Hundt, La Crosse, WI; Christopher and Lillian Cleaves, and Lauren McNeil of Columbia, S.C.  She is also survived by sisters, Caroline (Leonard) Martin, LaCrosse, WI;    Mary (James) Michel, Onalaska, WI;  and brother, Lester (Marsha Hoeth) Dwyer of La Crosse, WI.

 

Preceding her in death is  her husband, Alois; daughter, Linda; brothers, John, Donald and Arlan Dwyer and sisters,  Irma Steenberg, Evelyn Harold, Arlene Bahr and Lillian Schilling.

 

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday June 14, 2012 at St. Joseph Ridge Parish in St. Joseph’s Ridge, Wis. The Rev. Robert Hundt will officiate with burial to be held in the Church Cemetery.  Family and friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 4 pm until 7 pm.  Visitation will also be held at the church on Thursday from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass on Thursday.

 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Mayo Health System in La Crosse, Bethany St. Joseph Nursing Home and Recover Health for their excellent care and compassion.

 

The Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Homes of La Crosse are assisting the fam,ily with arrangements.

 

Online condolences may be made at www.blaschkeschneider.com